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A wild storm ushered us off the Hebrides this morning – not by kayak, but by ferry! Winter is definately on the way and it was definately too stormy to paddle 20-odd miles into. I had a great time on Lewis – it’s a beautiful, wild, wind-battered place with hundreds of craggy islands, improbably white sandy beaches and steep bleak cliffs pounded by swell. We had great fun paddling with the locals and appreciated their love of down-wind paddling. I’m glad we got to paddle down Loch Seaforth in a stiff southerly as I remember Mike talking about it a year ago on Mull – what a fantastic idea to just paddle one-way pushed by the wind! The Storm Gathering was a great success and everyone seemed to have fun braving the weather in a stunning location. Barry and I went off twice on overnight trips, travelling up the west coast, finding beautiful campspots and always being pushed northwards by a force 4 or stronger wind. We had a fun evening on Taransay with Mick Berwick ( the location of the BBC Castaway programme), and enjoyed a 29 nautical mile day which ended with us being pushed by the wind and the tide around Galen Head as darkness fell. I am already planning to come back next Summer and I hope to make it out to St Kilda and the Flannans aswell as see the summer birds. Tomorrow ( Saturday ) we are off to the Scottish Canoe Show in Perth where we’re both giving talks – Barry about his trip around Britain and me about the Queen Charlotte Islands. Then tomorrow night, it’s another ceilidh!! My sore back survived the Storm Gathering ceilidh so should be OK for another one!!

Today was the first day of the 2nd UK Storm Gathering in Stornoway. I went surfing at Tolsta ( sorry if I spelt it wrong) which was great fun. Some 3-5 foot waves making for some fun rides. Patrick Winterton was enjoying looping his kayak numerous times!

The 4 days previous to that Barry and I paddled on the West Coast of Lewis, exploring some of the islands in the Pabay area. The swell was pretty exciting – bigger than we typically get in North Wales and good practice for New Zealand. I’ve never paddled in so much FOAM! We ended by paddling to Barvas, on the doorstep of Mike Sullivan and family! Thanks to them for leaving us a car and trailer on the beach, all unlocked with the key in!! It’s great here on Lewis, very beautiful and I feel very at home. I’ll try to post piccies later

Mike Sullivan and Murty Campbell took Barry and I for a down wind paddle on Loch Seaforth today. It’s one of their favourite places to go during a stiff southerly as you can enjoy about 14km of surfing up a thin narrow loch with the wind gusting at your back. It’s easy to do a shuttle so you only paddle one way and it’s a pretty safe way of going out in strong winds. Today I sensed that Mike and Murty were a little disapointed that it was only about a force 6-7 but we all still had a few good surfs and enjoyed the free ride. We also saw lots of wildlife including a white tailed eagle at close quarters, a mink and an otter. My back is feeling much better today ( still a bit stiff but so much more flexible).
MIKE

CROSSING THE MINCH
Things don’t always go according to plan! Barry and I made it across the Minch to Lewis on a beautiful calm day on Tuesday. We landed, moved the boats up the shore a bit, I sat down to cook dinner and my lower back started to really hurt. I damaged the ligaments a bit about 3 weeks ago lifting furniture but thought it was better – obviously not. I spent the next 24 hours lying in my tent, before local paddler and organiser of the Storm Gathering, Mike Sullivan, rescued me ( wtih help from his friends Benny and Rory). I’m now recovering with a sachet of hot beans ( well, not literally.. but some fancy hot material ) on my lower back. I feel slightly better today and hope I can paddle tomorrow. Barry, meanwhile, is paddling up the West coast of Lewis by himself! So not exactly how we planned it, but I’m glad I’m getting better and I’m really grateful to Mike and Jayne for looking after me. His kids are keeping me amused on a walk down to their local beach!!
CROSSING THE MINCH

JAMIE, ROSIE AND KATRIN AT BARVAS BEACH!